Cartridge-based portable device for dispensing skin treatments

ABSTRACT

The present invention discloses a wrist- or forearm-mounted device for dispensing a small amount of alcohol-based disinfectant hand rub, moisturizer, or other hand medicament. Even powder-based hand treatments can be dispensed using the present invention. A wristband or other attachment means affix the device to arm or wrist. Various locations are feasible including the top, side, or underside of the wrist or forearm. In a preferred embodiment, the device is in the form of the device is in the form of a wrist-mounted dispenser with a nozzle that uses refill cartridges or packets to supply a small amount of dispensed skin treatment when actuated. Surreptitious actuation and dispensing of hand treatments is made possible with embodiments of the invention that are mounted on the underside of the wrist and can be easily actuated in a casual, not easily detected manner.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a division of application Ser. No. 10/729,757, filed Dec. 5, 2003.

BACKGROUND—PRIOR ART

The increase in bacterial immunity to modern antibiotics is problematic and one of the chief vectors of infection is the human hand. Hence, when not in the proximity of a washroom to disinfect one's hands, it would be useful to have a means to accomplish such sanitation. Also, in the midst of daily activities, it can be inconvenient to uncap bottles of disinfecting gels or hand lotions to otherwise treat the hands.

Fortunately, it has been established that ethyl alcohol is a most effective antiseptic for gram-negative pathogens; it is of low viscosity, easily dispensed from a portable container, and does not require the use of a material wipe or cloth because of the speed of evaporation. Further, an adequate dose for sanitizing the hands comprises but a few drops of this antiseptic. To prevent chafing, glycerin can be added to the alcohol without levels of viscosity increase that would be deleterious to the dispensing process.

Various methods of portable disinfectant or lotion dispensers have been disclosed in the prior art. These include body-mounted dispensers, wrist bracelet dispensers, and others. U.S. Pat. No. 6,371,946 discloses a dispensing tube that drips liquid onto the hand. U.S. Pat. No. 6,053,898 discloses a tube-fed finger dispenser. A body-worn dispenser of form factor similar to a pager is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,927,548.

What has not been demonstrated is a dispenser that is wrist- or arm-worn that provides ease of actuation and, more specifically, single hand actuation. Neither has there been a device that can be surreptitiously actuated. This is an important consideration with respect to public relations. Individuals such as business and sales personnel may come in contact with and greet many people during the day. It would be desirable to have the option of sanitizing the hands after a handshake with a person without conveying a disdainful message to that person in so doing.

A wrist-mounted dispenser that achieves dispensing directly to the hand with a simple hand action is a major advantage of the present invention. This is especially useful to nurses and doctors in busy hospital settings, as well as for allied healthcare workers who cannot take time to repeatedly wash their hands with soap and water. With the advent of new forms of communicable disease such as SARS, an important consideration regards means to prevent disease spread. In this vein, the present invention provides a dispensing modality for viricidal and antibacterial prophylactic treatments of the hands and other exposed parts of the body.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention discloses a wrist- or forearm-mounted device for dispensing a small amount of alcohol-based disinfectant hand rub, moisturizer, or other hand medicament. Even powder-based hand treatments can be dispensed using the present invention. A wristband or other attachment means affix the device to arm or wrist. Various locations are feasible including the top, side, or underside of the wrist or forearm. In a preferred embodiment, the device is in the form of a wrist-mounted dispenser with a nozzle that uses refill cartridges to supply a small amount of dispensed skin treatment when actuated. Surreptitious actuation and dispensing of hand treatments is made possible with embodiments of the invention that are mounted on the underside of the wrist and can be easily actuated in a casual, not easily detected manner.

Because only a few drops of alcohol-based disinfectant comprise a dose adequate to achieve sanitation of the hands, the device of the present invention can dispense hundreds of doses of disinfectant before requiring cartridge refill or disposal. It can be used at any orientation of the arm and will avoid leakage when not actuated.

OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES

Several objects and advantages of the present invention are:

(a) Provide a convenient, portable means for dispensing hand treatments;

(b) Provide a cost-effective means for dispensing hand treatments;

(c) Provide an unobtrusive means for dispensing hand treatments;

(d) Provide an easily actuated means for dispensing hand treatments:

(e) Provide an arm- or wrist-mounted means for dispensing hand treatments;

(f) Provide a cartridge- or packet-based means for dispensing hand treatments;

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a pictorial view of a cartridge-based dispenser.

FIG. 2 is a pictorial view of a siphon pump-based dispenser ejecting fluid perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the arm.

FIG. 3 is a pictorial view of a siphon pump-based dispenser ejecting fluid parallel to the longitudinal axis of the arm.

FIG. 4 is a pictorial view of refillable push button-actuated dispenser.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the dispenser of FIG. 23.

FIG. 6 is an exploded diagram of the components of the dispenser of FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a pictorial view of refillable, second push button-actuated dispenser having a functioning watch face.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the dispenser of FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is useful for dispensing either hand treatments such as moisturizers or disinfectants; even powders can be dispensed in powder-aerosol form. Typically, the active ingredient in hand antiseptics such as Purel™ is ethyl alcohol. This is fortuitous because it is a relatively non-toxic liquid that exhibits low viscosity over the temperature range of interest for this application. This makes delivery of a directed stream of fluid relatively easy. In contrast to liquid, alcohol gels are useful in that they do not run and although they will require more force to dispense than liquid, such higher viscosity disinfectant or moisturizing formulations can be accommodated in differing embodiments of the present invention. Various means of dispensing the aforementioned hand treatments are feasible and can be tailored to the type of material to be dispensed. The target locations for deposition of the hand treatment include the regions on the top of the hand, and the underside of the hand, either fingers or palm. The preferred embodiment for a means of dispensing hand treatment dosages is a device that attaches to either the top or underside of the wrist. Such a device can be worn unobtrusively underneath a long-sleeved shirt.

FIG. 1 depicts a cartridge-based dispenser showing the disposable hand treatment-containing cartridge 311 having indentations 325 and easily punctured, self-sealing dispensing port 313. The wrist-mounted holder 323 is shown having flexible side fingers 315 which seat in indentations 325 for retaining an installed cartridge 311. The body of the holder 317 has a base plate to which is attached wristband 321. As is well known in the prior art, the cartridge 311 can be inserted into the holder 317 so as to provide leak-free dispensing of fluid through nozzle 319 upon squeezing of a deformable portion of cartridge 311.

For children, the dispenser can be in the shape of or be embossed with the logos of sports teams, super heroes, or cartoon icons. Further, dose-delivering dispensers in the shape of cartoon characters are feasible. With a cartridge or refillable dispenser other functions can be added to the dispenser such as having LEDs on them that light up with use. High brightness, low current LEDs as used on cell phones are quite striking. Consideration can be given to a time delay for sequential dispensing so that children would be less inclined to waste the hand treatment material. By this, is meant that it would take a minute or two before a second dose could be dispensed. This could be achieved by establishing the time constant for repressurization of the dispensing cartridge using a suitably small sized air hole.

FIG. 2 depicts a siphon pump design that would be actuated by thumb pressure against a sliding actuator. Spray is ejected from the end of the actuator as fluid is siphoned from the reservoir. Another form factor for the siphon pump is provided in the design of FIG. 3 wherein the actuator is in the form of a button that can be depressed to cause ejection of hand treatment. In the designs of both FIGS. 2 and 3, two one-way check valves are employed as is common practice in the art.

Preferred Embodiments

FIG. 4 is a pictorial diagram of a dispenser using the basic principle of FIG. 2. Hence, the depicted device dispenses hand treatment fluid to the hand of the arm which does not have the dispenser attached. The ejection axis for dispensing is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the arm to which the device is attached and fluid is dispensed onto the fingers of the actuating hand. The cross sectional view of the device is provided in FIG. 5. With respect to FIG. 4, the dispenser body 349 is shown attached to wristband 341. It comprises a hinged lid 351 that contains a hand treatment fluid refillable volume. Depression of spring-loaded pump button 343 causes the ejection of hand treatment fluid through nozzle 345.

FIG. 6 is an exploded diagram of the components of this embodiment. The upper housing 411 provides a means of enclosing, retaining, and protecting the pump assembly and actuation components. It secures actuation button 441 to lower housing 427 via interlocking pin and slot feature and retains the dispensing nozzle 433. The actuation button 441 is the primary user interface for activation of the device. The contour shape is designed to accommodate a discreet, “no-look” actuation. The piston shaft 439 is the main mechanical link between the actuation button 441 and the pump piston 435. Piston housing 437 provides precise cylinder bore for high compression dispensing of hand treatment fluid. Mechanical means of pressurizing the pump chamber 417 via displacement of actuator button 441 is provided by piston 435. It displaces hand treatment fluid through the exit port of pump chamber 417 on the dispensing stroke and provides negative pressure to draw fresh hand treatment fluid from the reservoir contained in lower housing 427 on the intake stroke. The return force necessary to drive piston 435 through the intake stroke is provided by return spring 431. Main pump chamber 417 provides the main cylinder for pressurization during dispensing and intake strokes. It integrates the valve mating surface for the exit check valve 419 and retains piston housing 437 via a precision friction slip fit. An inlet port 413 provides a precision sealing surface between the reservoir and inlet check valve 415 which seals the inlet port 413 during the dispensing stroke and hence stops hand treatment fluid backflow into the reservoir. Exit check valve 419 provides a means of sealing the pump chamber 417 during the inlet stroke, preventing air intake through dispensing nozzle 433 to reduce or eliminate pump cavitation. This nozzle establishes a calibrated orifice through which a metered dosage of hand treatment fluid can exit the dispenser. An exit tube 421 routes hand treatment fluid to the dispensing nozzle 433 and provides a means of retaining the exit check valve 419. The lower housing 427 retains the upper housing 411 and actuation button 441. It also houses the main fill port for refillable dispensers. Enclosing and sealing the main fluid reservoir is the reservoir fill lid 423. It is easily released for refilling by an ergonomic snap feature at its leading edge. O-ring 425 provides additional sealing at the fill port by compression when fill lid 423 is snapped shut. It also provides a barrier which reduces or prevents evaporation of fresh hand treatment fluid. Band pins 429 provide attachment of the dispenser assembly to the wristband 443.

FIG. 7 is a pictorial diagram of dispenser similar to that of FIGS. 4 through 6. Shown is a functional watch face atop the dispenser top 527. The battery for this watch, not shown, can be conveniently located within the dispenser Also, in lieu of a fluid reservoir, cartridge packets 531 are used in this embodiment. The cross sectional view of the device is provided in FIG. 8. With respect to FIG. 8, the dispenser body is shown to be part of a wrist ring 521. It comprises a hinged top 527 that contains removable sanitizer-containing packet 531. Upon insert of packet 531 and closure of hinged top 527, the packet 531 is punctured by channel inlet 533. Retraction of spring-loaded pump button 523 creates a partial vacuum in cylinder volume 535 which is filled through channel 537 by sanitizer fluid from packet 531. Upon depression of pump button 523, backflow through channel 537 is prevented by a check valve or other means and the fluid in volume 535 is forced through channel 539 and ejected from nozzle 529.

It is to be understood that a plethora of cartridge or packet designs and form factors are within the scope of the present invention, including color-coded packets that can distinguish the type or strength of hand treatment contained therein. Also within the scope of this invention are various means to dispense hand treatment material from such packets including the mechanisms for extracting the hand treatment material from said packets. Extraction mechanisms can invoke pressure (internal or external to packet) or suction.

Pluralities of alternate attachment schemes are possible for dispensers of varying form factor. Examples of other attachment schemes include magnetic means, mechanical clips, loops, slide inserts, etc. Various types of dispensers can be made attachable including disposable, and refillable as in the case of packet dispensers described above.

While there have been shown and described the preferred embodiments of the present invention, it is to be understood that the invention can be embodied otherwise than is herein specifically illustrated and described and that, within such embodiments certain changes in the detail and configuration of this invention, and in the form and arrangements of the components of this invention, can be made without departing from the underlying idea or principles of this invention within the scope of the appended claims. 

1. A device for discharging skin treatment material from a user's forearm to said user's skin, the device comprising in combination: (a) a dispenser further comprising: (i) a reservoir for containment of packets of said skin treatment material; (ii) a push button actuated pump mechanism; (iii) a return spring mechanism; and (iv) nozzle means, and (b) attachment means for affixing said dispenser to said user's forearm, said push button actuated pump mechanism serving to dispense said skin treatment material from said reservoir through said nozzle means upon actuation and said return spring mechanism serving to restore the state of said pump mechanism for a next dispensing.
 2. A device as recited in claim 1 wherein said attachment means affixes said dispenser to the top side of said user's wrist.
 3. A device as recited in claim 1 wherein said attachment means affixes said dispenser in adjustable fashion to said user's wrist so that said dispenser can be positioned at an arbitrary location along the circumference of said user's wrist, whereby said skin treatment material can be ejected onto the top, side, bottom of said user's skin.
 4. A device as recited in claim 1 wherein said dispenser includes check valve means for preventing the leakage of said skin treatment material.
 5. A device as recited in claim 1 wherein said dispenser is removably attached to said attachment means. 